Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson square off to decide Stars’ best candidate for EA Sports cover

EA Sports is giving fans the opportunity to shape the face of the world’s #1 hockey video game franchise – EA Sports NHL, by participating in the first-ever EA Sports NHL Cover Vote Campaign – presented by Blackberry and hosted on NHL.com.

A field of 60 players will be narrowed down to one. The winning player will be unveiled as the EA Sports NHL 13 Cover Athlete at the 2012 NHL Awards on June 20 in Las Vegas.

The Dallas Stars will be represented in the cover vote by Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson. The two will square off in round one of the vote, which begins TODAY (March 29th) and runs through April 11th.

Jordie Benn, Stars defenseman and older brother of Jamie, has volunteered to be his campaign manager: “I think all of the fans should vote for Jamie. He deserves it. Plus he offered me some incentives if I helped get him on the cover. I think it’s free dinner or something. Either way, help a brother out. Rather, help my brother out and go vote Jamie Benn for EA Sports NHL 13 cover man.”

Eriksson, representing himself, had some simple and direct words about the cover vote: “Vote for Loui. It’s an easy decision. Vote for me. Jamie takes too many penalties to be the cover man. Thanks for your support.”

Fans are encouraged to log on to NHL.COM/COVERVOTE to vote for Benn or Eriksson, as well as the 58 other NHL players competing in head-to-head battles.

Be sure to follow the Stars on Twitter (@dallasstars) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/dallasstars) for more “banter” from Benn and Eriksson. Fans can also follow EA Sports NHL on Twitter (@easportsnhl) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/easportsnhl